Arsenal are among the clubs who have considered a potential move to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Arsenal scouts have been watching Mateta this season.
However, as things stand they are set to prioritise alternative options after deciding against making an immediate move for the 27-year-old.
This comes after Football Insider revealed Arsenal want to sign Wolves star Matheus Cunha, while they are also eyeing Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko.
Brown explained that Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen up front but will be selective with his options as they want an elite forward to become their focal point.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are set to continue efforts to commit Mateta to a new contract as he remains a key player under Oliver Glasner.
| Jean-Philippe Mateta | Matheus Cunha | Viktor Gyokeres | Benjamin Sesko | |
| Age | 27 | 25 | 26 | 21 |
| Appearances | 36 | 29 | 44 | 39 |
| Minutes Played | 2751 | 2376 | 3520 | 2861 |
| Goals | 16 | 15 | 44 | 19 |
| Assists | 3 | 4 | 11 | 6 |
Arsenal make Jean-Philippe Mateta transfer decision
Brown told Football Insider on 16 March that Crystal Palace plan to keep Mateta despite growing interest from the likes of Man United, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has once again backed the forward to remain at Selhurst Park beyond the summer.
“Mateta has been on the radar of a number of clubs this season,” he told Football Insider.
“The way he has played for Crystal Palace and the goals he has scored, he’s always going to attract a level of interest in his availability.
“From what I hear, Arsenal are among those teams who have had scouts watching him.
“We know Mikel Arteta wants to add a new striker to his squad, but I think he’s after a real elite forward who is going to lead the line for them.
“I don’t think Mateta is at the top of that list, there are other strikers they’re looking at instead, although they have considered a move for him.
“He’s done brilliantly for Crystal Palace and made a really strong reputation for himself.
“But he’s not going to be the answer to Arsenal’s problems.
“He’s a Crystal Palace player – he’s made for that role, he’s loving it under Glasner and he fits in perfectly with the way they play there.
“He’s a far more valuable player to Palace than he would be to Arsenal.
“That’s not meant as any disrespect to Palace or to the player because he’s been excellent there, but there are questions about whether he’d make Arsenal better than they are.
“I think they’re going to focus on other strikers after doing their due diligence on him.”
Mikel Arteta plots striker signing after transfer window twist
Arteta is planning a busy summer transfer window after missing out on the Premier League title for a third consecutive season as he plans to go one step further.
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Arsenal are prepared to spend big and will aim to capitalise on the earlier transfer window date.
This comes after it was confirmed that the window will open early between 1 June and 10 June due to the new Club World Cup – which Man City and Chelsea will compete in.
Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted he expects Arsenal to “sort their striker situation” in the new window.
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